A model sustainability homestead in Central New York
Mar 24th, 2010 by LeaLSF
The Dacha Project presents a short by Lea LSF. Starring Joe Fisher-Price, Danilatron & Lea LSF. For more info visit. dachaproject.com.
Strawbale Hijinks- A near silent comedy about the countless opportunities to act like a monkey one can miss if they choose not to build a straw bale cottage. Critically acclaimed as the must see monkey short of this fiscal year. Sponsorships welcome.
-LSF
Nov 12th, 2009 by lilygpad
It’s true, we know. We have been very, very bad at updating. So much has happened and us Dacha folks have been working very hard so accept our apologies and photographic evidence, please.
What’s new?
First, the Dacha finished putting up its roof. Finally, our house did not get rained in. A big step for construction. We chose a steel roof, and attached a gutter so we could catch water for gardening and whatever else. If filtered, this water can also be drinking water. We aren’t sure how far we will go with catchment, but at least it’s a possibility.
Oct 4th, 2009 by russiandollfigure
From Breaking Ground to Raising the Roof
Can you dig it?
It all started on a sunny day in Freeville, NY. We marked our territory and Lily used the shovel to break ground on our building project. After digging the footers, we built the forms for our foundation. Continue Reading »
Jul 29th, 2009 by lilygpad
Slowly, but surely, the Dacha updates.
This summer has been a non-stop tornado of work and productivity. And what else might one expect while building a homestead? Here’s a little peek into our lives.
First, a short video that was made possible with some footage our friend Jon Karr managed to take with a tiny little camera.
As far as the plastering goes - we are almost done with what was a much more difficult and involved project than we initially expected. Plastering is hard work, despite the forgiving medium.
Each new layer was its own learning experience, as we experimented with plasters of lime, clay and a combo of both.
photo by shira golding
I personally still love plastering, and prefer it to the less comforting dry wall option. It’s cozy in the straw bale shed, and it better be for how much time we all spent massaging that wall.
photo by shira golding
Jul 23rd, 2009 by LeaLSF
Here is our video entry into the Pay It Forward Contest, held by our local Alternatives Federal Credit Union.
Alternatives gave out ten dollars to whoever wanted it, and those people were supposed to give it to someone else in the community, an organization or an individual.Then, the giver of the ten dollars is encouraged to make a video or write an essay about their recipient, and in it illustrate what they can do with it that would benefit the community. Afterwards! A committee at Alternatives picks ten or so videos they like the best, and set them loose into the public, where anyone can vote on which entry they think should get the grand prize-oh- $500.
Taking advantage of some beautiful footage our friend Shira took of us, plus friends, plastering the straw bale cottage, I put together this doo-hickey.
[youtube=http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=nKYrn9NQ9O0&rel=0&color1=0xb1b1b1&color2=0xcfcfcf&feature=player_profilepage&fs=1]
Jun 18th, 2009 by russiandollfigure
Since our straw bale shed has been upgraded to the “Winter Palace,” it is time to plaster the structure and to fossilize our work for future archeological findings. We put on our clay covered uniforms and head out to work. Our main sources of power for mixing the sand, straw and clay are our hands and feet. And to prove that there really is straw under all those layers of plaster, we built a truth window.
The Truth Window
May 12th, 2009 by lilygpad
Yes! Everything has finally given in to green. Walking around on the land these last few weeks has been incredibly refreshing. Especially since our friends have been helping us identify the various trees and wild edibles already available to us. We are pleased to find several sugar maple trees big enough to tap next year for some syrupy goodness. Also, a new one for us all - ramps, native wild onions that have a garlic-like kick and make amazing pesto. We’ve been feasting on them for weeks!
We have also discovered some apple trees, black walnut trees and harvested a few cattail shoots (they smell like cucumber and go well in salad). But, of course, we’ve been doing more than just foraging for wild foods - say hello to the Dacha’s first Orchard and Garden. Continue Reading »
Apr 17th, 2009 by lilygpad
Dear Everyone,
Here at the Dacha, we six are filled with fuzzy bunny feelings. Wow-we have raised enough funds for over 60 trees and bushes! This will be an orchard beyond our wildest dreams. We feel extremely lucky and grateful to all of you who were able to help out.
At this time, we have reached our limit for the fruit and nut trees, but if you still wanted to jump on this train there are a few things that could help us out.
In order to make our orchard a success we will need:
Also, we would love to plant a few evergreens on the property to create more privacy (so, you know…if someone maybe wanted to run around naked, hypothetically, it wouldn’t disturb the neighbors). Wanna sponsor potential nudity?
So, we’ll still be accepting donations but the orchard is secured thanks to everyone!
Overall, I think this experience is leaving us feeling truly encouraged by our friends and family and community and the freakin’ world at large.
It feels really good.
Thank you.
Mar 12th, 2009 by LeaLSF
Dear Friends, Family and Patrons of the The Dacha Project’s Blog,
How about this one is it a fruit or nut tree? I'm afraid neither. Moving Photo by Liz K, 2008
We’re writing you with a special request and offer: SPONSOR A FRUIT OR NUT TREE OF YOUR CHOICE FOR JUST $20 (or as much as you can contribute), AND REAP THE HARVEST….in only four to six years.
Mar 12th, 2009 by LeaLSF
Filmed in September 2008, edited some time later by Lily G, and myself. Please enjoy, “Frame by Frame” the framing of our straw bale cottage. This short film is a moving after school special about some folk who engage on a journey of building a stick frame only to find themselves doing just that.
Next to come: Winter Palace Pt 5- Stacking Straw Bricks and Goofing Around, a thrilling drama showing the real life context around the building of straw bale walls.
